Lithuania opens Group B play at IIHF worlds with win over Netherlands

Dainius Zubrus notched one of Lithuania’s three third-period goals on Sunday as the host country opened Division I Group B play at the 2014 IIHF World Championship with a 4-0 win over the Netherlands.

Zubrus’ top line with Donatas Kumeliauskas and Arnoldas Bosas combined for two goals and an assist for the Lithuanians, who were set to face Poland on Monday.

"We all looked forward to this first game, to this important first game for us,” Lithuania head coach Bernd Haake told IIHF.com. "We could have scored two, three more goals in the second period after the Netherlands had put pressure on us, and it is a big win for us."

Zubrus previously represented Lithuania at the 2005 world championships, tallying three goals and an assist in four games.

The winner of Group B, which includes Romania and Croatia, will be promoted to Division I Group A. The six-team round-robin tournament goes through April 26.